Chapter 9 - The Hostage Negotiator
The tactical officers surrounded the glass office, pointing laser sights directly at my chest.
I grabbed Linda by her collar and pulled her up, using her as a human shield.
"Drop the weapon, Claire!" a voice boomed through a megaphone from the hallway.
I recognized the voice immediately.
It was Detective Harris, a man who regularly attended Linda's charity dinners.
He was on their payroll.
If I surrendered to him, I would be dead before I ever reached a jail cell.
"I want a federal FBI agent up here right now!" I screamed back.
"I am not talking to corrupt local cops!"
Detective Harris ordered his men to hold their fire, realizing I was absolutely desperate.
Ten agonizing minutes passed in a tense, deadly standoff.
Finally, a man in a crisp suit and an FBI windbreaker stepped through the crowd of officers.
He held up his hands to show he was unarmed.
"I am Special Agent Vance," he said calmly, stepping into the office.
"I have the master ledgers proving massive money laundering for the cartel," I told him.
I tossed the loaded hard drive across the floor to his feet.
Agent Vance picked it up and plugged it into a specialized tactical tablet.
He scrolled rapidly through the files, his eyes widening in complete shock.
He immediately keyed his radio.
"Stand down, all units stand down, this woman is a highly valuable federal witness."
He looked at Detective Harris and ordered his immediate arrest for deep corruption.
May you like
Agent Vance turned to me and smiled.
"Mark is waiting downstairs to play the grieving husband, but we are going to arrest him right now."
